Office of Legal Access Programs

Since April 2000, the Office of Legal Access Programs (OLAP) has worked to improve the efficiency of immigration court hearings by increasing access to information and raising the level of representation for individuals appearing before the immigration courts and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). OLAP programs and initiatives include the:

OLAP administers the Recognition & Accreditation (R&A) Program. The purpose of the R&A program is to authorize qualified non-attorneys to provide representation in immigration matters through approved organizations.

Individuals in removal proceedings are provided the List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers (List). The List contains information on non-profit organizations, referral services, and attorneys who may be able to assist in providing pro bono (free) legal services in immigration proceedings. OLAP maintains the List, oversees the application process, and monitors the providers’ adherence to the regulatory requirements.

OLAP administers the legal orientation and helpdesk programs to provide detained adults (LOP) or the adult caregivers of children (LOPC) in immigration removal proceedings with information about the immigration court process and their obligations. Where available, these programs also facilitate access to pro bono representation.

OLAP provides written materials and technical assistance for Self-Help Legal Centers within immigration courts. These centers assist individuals in immigration removal proceedings to learn about the immigration court process and their responsibilities.

The Model Hearing Program offers court-facilitated mock trial sessions with hands-on training in immigration court with a goal of increasing the number of pro bono representatives available for individuals in immigration removal proceedings.

Through the pilot innovation programs, OLAP oversees the National Qualified Representative Program (NQRP), a nationwide program to provide qualified representatives to certain unrepresented individuals detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement whom an immigration judge or the BIA have determined to be mentally incompetent to represent themselves in immigration removal proceedings.

For more information on OLAP’s programs and initiatives, please send an email to:eoir-olap@usdoj.gov